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Most divisions offer an evening court session for infraction cases only. Court addresses and hours are available on our Office Locations page. If your ticket directs you to appear at the Kearny Mesa Traffic Court or the North County Division, Traffic Annex, click here to schedule a court appearance at night court. Bail is not required to appear in court.

3. What happens if I don't take care of my traffic citation by the appearance date?

Failure to resolve your citation by the due date may result in a $300 civil assessment penalty being added to the original bail and a referral to a collection agency pursuant to Penal Code §1214.1, or issuance of a warrant for your arrest and/or suspension of your driver license.

MasterCard, Visa, cash, checks and money orders are accepted at the court. For more information on paying your ticket, click on our Ticket Information page.

5. What if I have a financial hardship and cannot afford to pay for my citation?

If you have a financial hardship and can show that you are unable to pay the full amount for the offenses on your traffic ticket, you may request the court to consider your ability to pay in setting or reducing the fine amount, ask for an installment plan based on your ability to pay, or ask to consider community service. You can do this by:

Appearing in court to make this request. (An appointment to appear in court may be necessary.) Click here for court times and scheduling.

Request a courtroom appearance to ask the court to consider your ability to pay. (You may need to schedule this appearance in advance). Click here for court appearance information.

File or mail a written explanation of your financial hardship and inability to pay to the court. The court will mail you a response to that request. Any prior orders in your case requiring payment will remain in effect until the court rules on your request.

There is a location on your ticket telling you where to report. Court addresses and hours are available on our Office Locations page.

8. I received a traffic citation, but have not yet received a notice with the bail amount. What should I do?

Notices sent to you by the court are done as a courtesy to you. If you don't receive a notice before your appearance date, you should contact the appropriate court location. Court addresses and hours are available on our Office Locations page.

Approximately two weeks prior to your appearance date, you may receive a courtesy notice from the court in the mail. This notice will tell you if you may be eligible to attend traffic school. Traffic school eligibility is determined byCalifornia Rules of Court, rule 4.104. NOTICE: If you are eligible and decide not to attend traffic school, your driving record and automobile insurance may be adversely affected.

11. Do I have to pay the court a fee to attend Traffic School and a fee to the Traffic School?

Yes. A fee is paid to the court in the amount of the total bail plus $52. A fee must also be paid to the Traffic School you attend. Methods of instruction and class fees vary. You may want to call a variety of schools before you determine which school you attend. If you have a financial hardship and can show that you are unable to pay the full amount for the offenses on your traffic ticket, you may request the court to consider your ability to pay in setting or reducing the fine amount, ask for an installment plan based on your ability to pay, or ask to consider community service. Click here for court times and scheduling.

12. I received a red light photo enforcement ticket in the mail but I was not the driver. What do I do?

If you received your ticket in any of the following cities, please call law enforcement agency at the number listed below to set up an appointment to view your photographs:

Del Mar (760) 966-3500

Encinitas, Solana Beach (760) 966-3500

Oceanside (760) 435-4789

Vista (760) 414-3360

For tickets issued in North County, you may view your photographs at www.photonotice.com or the Vista court location, 325 South Melrose Dr., Annex Building, Vista, California.

Clerks are unable to provide legal advice. It is suggested you either contact an attorney, or perform your own research prior to filing any paperwork. The San Diego County Bar Association provides referral assistance for no charge.

15. I received a traffic ticket. Will I get "points" on my driver's license?